Reduction of mosquito larval densities in natural sites after introduction of Romanomermis culicivorax (Nematoda:Mermithidae) in Cuba.

Abstract

Romanomermis culicivorax Ross & Smith became established in 4 of 6 treated sites and produced high levels of infection in Anopheles albimanus Wiedemann, Culex atratus Theobald, Psorophora confinnis Lynch-Arribálzaga, and Uranotaenia sapphirina Oster-Sacken mosquitoes for 9 wk in 1993. Mean levels of southern house mosquito parasitism ranged from 82 to 83% for Culex quinquefasciatus Say, at 2 sites, from 89 to 95% for An. albimanus at 4 sites, and from 78 to 80% at 2 sites for Cx. atratus, Ps. confinnis, and Un. sapphirina. Results indicated that R. culicivorax has potential use as biological control agent against mosquitoes in several different habitats in Cuba.